The best of China : PEKIN, XIAM, SHANGAI

About the destination: Situated in the north of China, Beijing is the capital city of the People's Republic of China, the most populated country in the world. With a population exceeding 21 million people, it is the second largest city in the nation, following Shanghai. Beijing is a modern city, boasting impressive new urban and commercial developments, looking towards the future while still deeply connected to its imperial past. Beijing is famous for its extravagant palaces, ancient temples, and massive stone walls and gates. Its art treasures and significant government and cultural institutions have long established the city as a hub of culture and art in China. The heart of the city and its most important landmark is Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world. The Tiananmen Gate separates the square from the Forbidden Palace, a must-see in the city. The Forbidden Palace was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is known as the Palace Museum and is one of the wonders of ancient China. Other main attractions in Beijing include The Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the ancient alleyway neighbourhoods, where you can find traditional Beijing architecture, known as Hutongs. Beijing is a good base for visiting some of China’s major landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs. With world-renowned cultural and heritage sites, a vibrant nightlife, excellent sporting facilities left as a legacy from the 2008 Olympic Games, delicious food such as Peking Duck, and great entertainment options like the Beijing Opera, Beijing is a captivating city offering a wealth of experiences to visitors.

About the destination: Xi’an is a historic city in Shaanxi Province in China. Xi’an is situated in the central part of the Guanzhong Plain, with the Wei River to the north and the Qinling Mountain to the south. It's a harmonious town, where tradition and modernity exist side by side. Xi’an has immense historical significance and it's home to some of the most famous attractions in China and some of the most important archaeological sites in the country. The city was the capital for 13 dynasties, and a total of 73 emperors ruled here. With so much history within the ground the city lies upon, it's no wonder that there are so many historical ruins, museums and cultural relics to be found here. The most important sites to visit in Xi’an are the City Wall of Xi'an, the world's largest city wall, the Grand Mosque and the historic Qin Terra Cotta Warriors. But the city is filled with historical relics with 72 tombs of Emperors and palaces, temples and multiple other reminders of the past. Other notable sites in and around Xi'an include the Large and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, which were built in the Tang Dynasty. Xi'an is also home to one of China's best museums, the Shaanxi History Museum, which contains an outstanding collection of artifacts from the various early dynasties that ruled China.

About the destination: Shanghai is a modern city situated just south of the mouth of the mighty Yangtze River and divided in two by the Huangpu River. It's one of China's largest metropolises and is considered the most cosmopolitan, sophisticated and progressive city in mainland China. Shanghai is a great place to visit if you want to get a glimpse of China's future. A whole new city of skyscrapers has been constructed in its Pudong district, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has become one of the city’s landmarks and is one of the tallest structures in Asia, and the Shanghai World Financial Centre, the third largest building in Asia and the world. On the west side of the Yangtze River is the Puxi area, the older central part of the city. Puxi has a rich history and it's here where you'll encounter many of the city’s old buildings and attractions, such as the French Concession, the Bund, the Yuyuan Garden, the Jiu Qu Bridge, the Huxin Pavilion and the Temple. Shanghai is China’s cosmopolitan hub of finance and culture. Shanghai has a special oriental charm and a fresh western style that appeals to everyone. And it's also a good base to explore the more rural and classical sights of nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.